obloquy

n., pl., -quies.

1. Abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny: "I have had enough obloquy for one lifetime" (Anthony Eden).
2. The condition of disgrace suffered as a result of abuse or vilification; ill repute.

[Middle English obloqui, from Late Latin obloquium, abusive contradiction, from Latin obloquī, to interrupt : ob-, against; see ob- + loquī, to speak.]

(OB-luh-kwee)

noun
1. Censure or abusive language towards someone, especially when expressed by many.
2. Disgrace resulting from public condemnation.

Etymology
From Latin obloquium (talking against, contradiction), from ob- (against) + loqui (to speak). Ultimately from the Indo-European root tolkw (to speak) that is also the source of somniloquy somniloquy. loquacious loquacious. and allocution allocution. ]

Usage
"[Jimmy Carter] is a man who is prepared to risk the obloquy and criticism of die-hard neocons and nervous fellow senior Democrats to break the chains of Washington's foolish Middle East peace policy." — Carter Mission; Arab News (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia); Apr 9, 2008.

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Public censure and — even worse — the disappointment of columnist George F. Will and other die-hard baseball fans are the fate of Barry Bonds, the slugger whose steroid use is now hitting the headlines:

"By now even Barry Bonds, although notably thick-skinned regarding public obloquy, might wish he had retired after the 1998 season..."

Link: Reading Barry Bonds' record

Posted March 13, 2006.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

noun

1. Harsh, often insulting language: abuse, billingsgate, contumely, invective, railing, revilement, reviling, scurrility, scurrilousness, vituperation. See praise/blame.
2. Loss of or damage to one's reputation: bad name, bad odor, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, humiliation, ignominy, ill repute, odium, opprobrium, shame. See respect/contempt/standing.

n

Definition: vilification
Antonyms: praise

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Blame, censure, reproach, 11 P. 713; to expose one to obloquy is to subject one to blame or disgrace and may constitute defamation. 258 P. 242.

1) abusive language  2) ill repute

IN BRIEF: n. - Abusive language; improper treatment.

There he remained, weeping indignantly at her stream of obloquy, bitterly ashamed of his tears, until it was time for supper. — Jonathan Keates Stendhal.